Seventh heaven for Sayers and Dennison

LOUGHBOROUGH University graduate Goldie Sayers was crowned national javelin champion for the seventh year in succession at the World Championship trials which doubled as the UK Championships in Birmingham.

LOUGHBOROUGH University graduate Goldie Sayers was crowned national javelin champion for the seventh year in succession at the World Championship trials which doubled as the UK Championships in Birmingham.

Sayers, who is 27 today (Friday), threw 55.43m to take the title.

Another Loughborough athlete currently clear at the top of her field is Kate Dennison who re-set the British pole vault record for the seventh time this season to 4.57.

There was a shock defeat for Steve Lewis who surprisingly finished second on count back to Luke Cutts in the men’s pole vault after Cutts had earned a life-time best of 5.55m.

Graduate Emeka Udechuku however was one Loughborough based athlete who continued his dominance of the discus throwing 56.93m while Kieren Kelly, the current BUCS champion was second in the shot.

Hurdler Andy Turner has booked his place in Britain’s team for the World Championships in Berlin after storming to victory in the 110m event in a time of 13.47secs as did Nusrat Ceesay who won the 400m hurdles in 57.13 ahead of Rhys Williams.

Elsewhere Loughborough’s Charlotte Best, fresh from winning a bronze medal in the World University games, was fifth in the women’s 800m.

In the men’s 1500m steeplechase Nick McCormick finished third with a season’s best 3:42.21 while in the women’s steeplechase British record holder Helen Clitheroe took the win in 9:48.24.

In the men’s 100m Harry Aikeens-Aryeetey finished fifth clocking 10.35 while in the field Samson Oni lost on count back to Germaine Mason in the high jump final. His training partner Leon Baptiste was third in the 200m with 20.79secs.

Finally a host of Loughborough athletes were involved in the women’s 1500m events but Laura Kenney could only finish sixth ahead of Harriet Scott, Stevie Stockton and Hannah Whitmore in 10th.

The event was won by Charlene Thomas ahead of Steph Twell with Lisa Dobriskey absent still struggling from injury but hoping to book her place at the World Championships at the London Grand Prix on July 24.